Indie closes after 93 years in business

The Middlewich Guardian has reported that Fiona Niddrie and her brother Philip announced in October 2010 that they wanted to move on and appealed for a new owner for the family shop. However, nobody has been found and the owners have decided to close the store.

Fiona said: "It would have been nice if someone could have taken on the business. There was interest and negotiations took place but they didn’t come to fruition."

Niddrie’s was established by Francis Niddrie in 1918. The business was then run by Fiona and Philip’s father Robert Niddrie, who passed away in 2009.

"It will be a great loss to the community," added Fiona. "A number of customers have wished us well and said that Middlewich won’t be the same.

"When we had the coaches it was a hub of activity - it was vibrant - and when we finally put the lock on the door it will be emotional."

Fiona told the Guardian that she thinks the failure to find a new owner for the toy shop is symptomatic of Middlewich’s changing town centre.

She said: "We've lost small independent traders. They've been replaced by takeaways and estate agents. We've lost that personal touch. If you want to buy anything you’ve got to go out of town."